The 2026 season at Théâtre français de Toronto (TfT) brings together a compelling lineup of productions that reflect the richness, complexity, and vitality of contemporary Francophone theatre. From intimate solo performances and politically charged works to imaginative family-friendly stories, the season highlights voices that challenge convention while fostering connection across cultures and generations. Spanning February 26–May 30, 2026, these productions explore themes of identity, resilience, belonging, and creative freedom, offering audiences both thoughtful reflection and moments of joy. With accessible surtitling and innovative audience experiences, TfT continues to expand the reach of French-language theatre in Toronto, inviting diverse communities to engage with stories that resonate far beyond the stage.

Nzinga
February 26–28, 2026

In Nzinga, Tatiana Zinga Botao stands alone on stage to trace a powerful thread between past and present. Raised between the Congo, Belgium, and Canada, she uncovers an unexpected connection to Queen Nzinga, the formidable 17th-century African leader whose legacy of resistance and diplomacy still resonates today. This discovery becomes the starting point for a deeply personal exploration of ancestry, displacement, and self-determination.

Created with Alexis Diamond and Marie Louise Bibish Mumbu, and shaped by the direction of Albertine M. Itela, the work reframes exile as strength rather than rupture. Memory, history, and imagination intertwine as Zinga Botao reclaims space for women’s voices too often overlooked or silenced.

Both intimate and expansive, Nzinga invites audiences to consider how identity is formed across borders—and how reclaiming one’s story can become an act of empowerment.

English subtitles are available, with optional augmented reality glasses available in English or French.

Joséphine et les grandes personnes
April 15–18, 2026 | Ages 7–12

Joséphine has a rare talent: she understands adults, even when they don’t understand themselves. In this playful and thoughtful production, she offers ten imaginative lessons to help children make sense of the grown-up world. Drawing from her own family life, Joséphine explores everyday conflicts, tender moments, and the quiet misunderstandings that shape relationships between parents and children.

Each lesson is accompanied by the presence of an enigmatic older woman, whose gentle guidance and shared curiosity form a unique intergenerational friendship. Together, they discover that listening and empathy flow both ways.

Written by Marie-Hélène Larose-Truchon, the play celebrates the insight, courage, and creativity of children. Young audiences will see their realities reflected on stage, while adults are invited to rediscover the world through a child’s perceptive gaze.

A heartfelt creation by Théâtre Carrousel.

Bonnes Bonnes
April 22–26, 2026

Three friends gather in a kitchen, chopping garlic and simmering chilli sauce, while watching a video inspired by Jean Genet’s The Maids. In Bonnes Bonnes, this ordinary setting becomes the stage for an uncompromising conversation about race, culture, and belonging.

As Sophie, Meilie, and Charo react to the video—performed by Chinese actresses—they unpack memories of childhood, pop culture obsessions, and their complicated relationship with whiteness. What emerges is a shifting portrait of Chinese identity, shaped by pride, discomfort, humour, and fear in an increasingly politicised world. As tensions build, the boundaries between fiction and lived experience begin to blur.

Created by Nervous Hunter, Bonnes Bonnes interrogates whose voices dominate the arts and how power, capitalism, and representation intersect. Provocative and darkly funny, the work challenges audiences to sit with discomfort and contradiction.

English subtitles are available, with optional augmented reality glasses available in English or French.

Je suis William
May 6–9, 2026 | Ages 10+

In a reimagined Elizabethan England, Je suis William places the spotlight on Margaret Shakespeare, a gifted storyteller whose brilliance must remain hidden. While her brother William dreams of the stage, Margaret writes in secret, aware that education and imagination are forbidden luxuries for girls of her time.

When William recognises his sister’s extraordinary talent, he faces an impossible choice: protect her safety or allow her voice to be heard. Their journey unfolds in a playful, music-filled world where sibling loyalty challenges rigid social rules.

This family-friendly musical explores the cost of silence and the courage required to create. By revisiting history with wit and warmth, Je suis William reminds audiences that gender continues to shape opportunity—and that stories have the power to change the course of lives.

English subtitles are available, with optional augmented reality glasses available in English or French.

Angle Mort (Blindside)
May 28–30, 2026 | Ages 12+

With honesty, humour, and infectious energy, Stéphanie Morin-Robert takes the stage in Angle Mort to share her lived experience of difference. After losing her left eye to cancer as a toddler, she grew up navigating curiosity, misunderstanding, and fear—both her own and others’.

Through vivid storytelling, she recounts moments from childhood and adolescence, including a defining incident when her prosthetic eye was knocked loose during a game. Rather than retreating, she learned to confront vulnerability head-on, transforming it into confidence and self-acceptance.

After touring internationally with Blindside, Morin-Robert returns with this French-language version, embracing both her disability and her Francophone identity. Angle Mort is a moving celebration of resilience, self-love, and the freedom found in claiming one’s full story.

English subtitles are available, with optional augmented reality glasses available in English or French.

About Théâtre français de Toronto (TfT)

Founded in 1967, Théâtre français de Toronto (TfT) is Canada’s oldest professional French-language theatre company outside Quebec. Dedicated to presenting bold, relevant, and innovative theatre, TfT champions Francophone and Francophile artists while reflecting the diversity of contemporary Canadian society. Its programming spans original creations, international works, and family productions, all designed to spark dialogue and cultural exchange. Through inclusive practices such as English surtitling and community engagement initiatives, TfT plays a vital role in making French-language theatre accessible to a wide audience, while nurturing the growth and visibility of Francophone performing arts in Toronto and beyond.